Assessing prevalence, risk factors, and the association between trichomonas vaginalis and urine glucose and albumin in pregnant women at Bamenda III, Cameroon

Trichomoniasis in pregnancy is associated with poor reproductive outcomes, including pelvic inflammatory disease, preterm delivery, and low birth weight. Urine albumin and sugar in pregnancy are major complications that might arise during pregnancy and are a cause for concern. This study aims to assess the prevalence and risk factors of Trichomonas vaginalis among pregnant women and their impact on urine glucose and albumin. The study was a cross-sectional study involving pregnant women at first antenatal visits from March to May 2024. A total of 200 pregnant women were recruited for the study. Vaginal swab samples were collected for the identification of Trichomonas vaginalis . Risk factors were identified using a closed-ended questionnaire, and the presence of albumin and glucose was identified using dipstick test strips. A total of 200 participants were recruited; the age ranges from 18 to 35 years, with a mean of 26.4± (4.5) years. The overall prevalence of T. vaginalis was 6.5% (13). The prevalence of urine albumin was insignificantly ( p = 0.37) low 0 (0.0%) among those who were positive for T. vaginalis . Urine glucose was significantly higher ( p = 0.001) in women who had trichomoniasis 10 (71.4%). Our data showed that women who had more than one sex partner [20.0%, Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 0.158 (0.031–0.796); p = 0.025] and women with a previous history of STI [10.2%, AOR 5.261(1.282–21.585); p = 0.021] were at higher risk of acquiring T. vaginalis infection. The high frequency of trichomoniasis requires that this test be made a routine test for pregnant women. The results report for the first time that glucose was high in pregnant women who were positive for trichomoniasis, thereby showing a need for further research considering the effects of gestational diabetes.